Blog Archives
Taking a French course for fun and a conference
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Salut all! Last year I met Marie and Pierre at a writer’s conference. They are a charming French couple who are a lot of fun. Upon meeting them, I dug around in my brain and dragged out some of my junior high school French. (We’re talking about a long, long time back.) I don’t remember much, but some I’ve never forgotten. Marie was delighted that I knew what I did. We quickly became friends.
She’s coming to this year’s conference. I decided to surprise her by dusting off and brushing up my French. The other day I bought a Learn to speak French course. I’ve completely surprised myself with all that I am remembering.
When I see Marie and Pierre in May I hope to be able to stumble along and at least give them a few laughs.
The next step is to have her teach me a few words that one will never find in a French course. I have my priorities you know. One has to be able to cuss people out and done in French, it sounds much nicer. Rather reminds me of this definition of diplomacy: “The ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they actually look forward to the trip.”
Posted in My blog, My books, Uncategorized, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing, Writing conferences
Downloading updates for my new Word program
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I feel as though I’ve been online forever today. It never fails with Microsoft; you have to spend hours downloading security files and fixes when you put in a new program. They send their programs off to the market before they have them working properly and leave it to the consumer to update them. Gee, thanks Bill.
If I didn’t like using Microsoft Word, so much I wouldn’t buy a newer program. The program is so friggin’ expensive I couldn’t possibly buy the newest one on the market. Office Depot ran a sale on Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 this week and I bought it. I would’ve rather bought just Microsoft Word but that was way out of my price range- nearly three times the price. Go figure.
Now you know these weren’t sitting on the shelf all this time. You’d think that since it is 2009, all the updates and fixes would’ve been in the 2007 programs when they sent them to market this year. Hell no. Why in the world would they make things easier for the consumer?
Anyway, you’ll have to excuse me. I have about 5 more updates to download…
Posted in My blog, My books, Uncategorized, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
New keyboard makes a huge difference
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I knew my old keyboard was getting bad. When is it time to get a new keyboard?
When you have to pound the keys almost as hard as you would on an old manual typewriter, it’s time for a new keyboard. When you hit a key and it stutters on the letter, it’s time for a new keyboard. When you have to pound some keys to make them work, it’s time for a new keyboard. When your husband, who is watching TV with the volume cranked up, complains that your typing is so loud it is annoying him, it’s time for a new keyboard.
If by the end of a night of writing your hands feel bruised, it’s time for a new keyboard. If your writerly friends make fun of it, it’s time for a new keyboard. When your friendly neighborhood computer geek looks at yours and says, “Wow, that’s a real antique!” It’s time to go buy a new keyboard.
This one is from a friend of mine: When the keys begin to fly off and land on the floor like rats deserting a sinking ship, you know you need a new keyboard.
Posted in My blog, My books, Uncategorized, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Bottom Line books scam part 2
Posted by doggonedmysteries
On December 12, 2008 I posted about Bottom Line Books’ attempt to defraud my mother-in-law. My statistics show there have been a great number of people reading it daily. This leads me to believe that at least twice that number of people have had the same experience.
If you are reading this because you are in the same boat, I must explain that Dear Hubby never talked to Bottom Line Books because they’d already sent the bill to collection. He called the collection agency and explained the situation. (She never ordered, received, and didn’t want any books.) They were very helpful in resolving the issue.
At present, we are in the process of filing a dispute for two more illegal transactions we found. It seems that both Betterman/Betterwoman and American Leisure helped themselves to my mother-in-law’s checking account. I looked online and couldn’t find out anything about Betterman/Betterwoman other than they sell vitamins that she doesn’t take, want, and didn’t order. However, there are a vast number of complaints against American Leisure.
Of course, we’ve changed her account and alerted her bank about these illegal withdrawals and they’ve red flagged any new transactions on that card number.
*See my earlier post Bottom line books scam
**See also Painvanish another scam and Painvanish problem settled
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Scams, Writer, Writing
It’s cold tonight
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Poor Gavin was fussing in his crate so I went to see what the problem was. He was trying to roll up in a little fake sheepskin I had in there. When I realized what the problem was I trotted down to the cellar and retrieved a much larger, thicker blanket. Right now, he’s happily rolling himself up in it and it sounds like a herd of elephants is loose in my kitchen.
Normally our house is warm but when the temperature dips down to a mere twenty degrees, the kitchen becomes quite chilly. I had been running a small electric heater in there to keep the chill off, but after I got the last bill from the electric company I figured Gavin would be happier with a nice blanket he can bury himself in, this is something he’s done since he was a puppy.
I’m sure at some time tomorrow, when Patty inspects Gavin’s crate she’ll be quite put off that HE got a big, fluffy blanket. Miss Patty will never freeze her crate is nice and cozy because hers is next to a radiator in the living room.
These two love their crates and when they decide it’s time for bed, they expect us to drop the towel over the door to block out our lights. No, my dogs aren’t spoiled-yeah right.
Posted in Dog related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
In Loving memory
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Mom with birthday roses 2005
Beloved Mother and friend.
There aren’t enough words or ways to say I love you and miss you.
W. R. W.
7/30/1915 –1/1/2007
Posted in In memory of..., My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
Happy New Year Everyone!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
My wishes for the New Year are:
- Dear Hubby’s health stabilizes.
- We all find our bliss.
- You and yours have a healthy year.
- We all stay out of the poorhouse.
- I finish my books and my agent sells them in short order.
- We hit the lottery.
- Karma catches up with those who deserve it.
- The new administration actually does something to make this country great again and it wasn’t only election rhetoric.
- An end to world hunger.
- World peace.
Love and hugs to my dear Aunties, Cousins, and friends.
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
Pumping up your writing
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Do you tend to overwrite and lean to the flowery? Do your metaphors and similes ramble along for pages? That’s okay if you’re writing for style, not so much, if you are writing a mystery, suspense, or horror novel. You don’t want to bore your reader to death. It is best to put the brakes on overdoing the stylishness. I know many a reader who will skip over those long segments of description to get to the meat of the story.
I am guilty of not doing enough description. My writing is sparse and tight-too tight, it seems. My critique group tells me, “show me more, I want to see where you protagonist is.” I groan and make notes of where they beg for more description. Then I struggle to give them more. After all that’s why I go to the critique group. They see my weaknesses and help me to correct them.
In each chapter I toil to raise the odds, end them with cliffhangers that drive a reader to go on to read the next one. I’m getting better at cranking up the tension in small ways too.
I’m still learning. I never want to stop.
Don’t get me hooked on a game
Posted by doggonedmysteries
A friend of mine got me hooked on an online game. This is not a good thing for me I really don’t need something else begging for my time. My browser isn’t fond of it. It locked up my computer for quite a while tonight.
Once I finally was able to get back online a friend I’d been instant messaging was gone. So I went back to try the game again-not a smart idea. I got hooked on it and wasn’t going to let it beat me. I made it through all the levels they gave you only to find out if I wanted to play more of it I had to buy it.
I’ve decided that although the game was fun I erased the link after spending too much time on it and I refuse to buy it to play more.
Posted in My blog, My books, Uncategorized, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Pups and pop corn
Posted by doggonedmysteries
“Do you want some p-o-p-c-o-r-n?” Dear Hubby asked.
Two sets of ears perked up. Gavin’s head tilted to the right and Patty’s head tilted to left.
“Uh oh, I think they’ve learned to spell that,” I said.
“You keep them out here and I’ll start it.” (Fat chance of doing that.) Gavin beat him to the kitchen and Patty was on his heels. “Not for you. For us,” He told them.
From the living room, I told Dear Hubby, “Yeah right. Say that all you want they’ll still mooch some.”
Dear Hubby got so he didn’t like microwaved pop corn so we recently bought a hot air popper-cost a whole fifteen dollars. We had one many years ago when we were first married. At the time, we also had a German shepherd and as soon as we’d turn on the popper, he’d be right by the counter to catch any strays that popped out of the bowl and landed on floor.
I’m not surprised that these two English Bull Terriers have already figured out the same thing. Both were happily playing the outfield while the bowl filled.
While we munched they mooched. Patty is very good at catching pop flies. Gavin prefers grounders I think he has trouble focusing on small moving objects.
Posted in Dog related, My blog
Tags: Author, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Dust bunnies from hell
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Okay, I admit it. I didn’t clean the house for Christmas. I didn’t even give the floors a lick and a promise with a dust mop. Why? We had no company coming to visit. We two, and the pups were all who was to be here. Why fuss and clean like a maniac when there was no need?
Today I noticed a fuzzy bit sticking out from under my desk. When I reached to pick it up there came a great gnashing of teeth and slashing of claws-I’d grabbed the tail of a killer dust bunny from hell. It was only one of many. The dogs retreated to their crates to hide from the vicious creatures.
I seized the mighty and magical vacuum, unleashed the awful power, and waged battle upon the creatures of fuzz and dust. I emerged victorious. The dirty fiends will grow, multiply, and before too long a new battle will begin.
Tomorrow, I shall wage war on the muddy paw print monsters, they are the sneaky invisible creatures that slink into the house and finger-paint on my floors trying to get the pups into trouble.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
The chair shark
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Gavin loves to sit in my lounge chair with me. He’ll stretch out alongside me and chew his favorite Nylabone on the footrest. He’s contented, he’s happy, but he’s bait for the chair shark.
Patty is the resident chair shark. She will stalk Gavin for his bone. She will circle behind my chair and hide under Dear Hubby’s footrest. She will crawl under mine and from underneath will POKE Gavin with her nose a few times. Patty waits and watches for a paw to flop over the edge of the chair. She nips at the dangling appendage. Gavin leans over the edge and nips back. The two jaw wrestle for a bit until she retreats under DH’s footrest.
Gavin goes back to chewing his bone. The chair shark begins to circle her prey again. She doesn’t want any of the bones in their toy box she wants what Gavin has. She MUST have it.
Gavin stops chewing his bone, sighs, and rests his chin on my shins. The chair shark pounces, steals the bone, and leaps for her lair, the couch. She does her victory dance, shaking the Nylabone, and bouncing back and forth on the couch. Buried behind the seat cushions you can scarcely see the three other bones she stole from Gavin today.
Posted in Dog related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Snow, Writer, Writing
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